About The Friends of The Gale Environmental Academy

About the Friends

Friends of the Academy of Environmental Science and Technology, Inc. is an independent nonprofit organization whose volunteer board members work to support the Gale Academy of Environmental Science and Technology (ESA) at Forest Hill Community High School, a Title I school, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Friends are a group of individuals passionate about supporting the Gale Academy of Environmental Science and Technology. The Board members are from several different professions, all in some way related to the environment or technology, including environmental attorneys, water resources scientists, engineers, hydrogeologists and science teachers. Some board members are early graduates of the Academy as well as scholarship winners. The board of directors includes representatives from both Forest Hill Community High School (FHHS) and the community. Over the years, members have included local business professionals, environmental scientists, geologists, engineers, lawyers, parents, and educators.

The Friends provide support in the following ways:

Funding field studies, equipment, and materials
Providing mentors, guest speakers, and and Internships for students
Increasing student recruitment and public awareness through sponsored events and social media
Awarding of Scholarships to graduating seniors

The Academy provides a four year program that includes two science courses per year. Students are the central focus within the Academy, while teachers act as facilitators, guiding the learning process. The curriculum is developed to engage students in both acquisition of knowledge and real world application. Hands-on field and laboratory experiences are key components to the program, immersing students into the world of science and research. Service learning is another integral component to the program where students get involved in the community through events such as beach cleanups, native landscape projects, public outreach events, and on-campus recycling.

About the Academy

The Gale Academy of Environmental Science and Technology is a Choice Program at Forest Hill Community High School (FHCHS), now an International Baccalaureate (IB) World school. The Academy offers a hands-on approach to environmental science education that provides students with a strong platform of knowledge and skills to achieve their career goals.

The Academy was established in 1995 under the leadership of then-Mayor of West Palm Beach, Nancy C. Graham, who wished to bring an environmental magnet program to Forest Hill Community High School.

The Academy is named after philanthropist and author Mary E. “Meg” Gale, who was a longtime advocate of science and environmental education. Ms. Gale’s generosity, and many years of service on the academy’s advisory board, allowed for the establishment of the endowments that now help to fund the program and scholarships.

Field Studies

The best way to learn about the environment is to explore it! Students visit swamp, marsh, pineland, scrub, beach, dune, estuary and coral reef habitats throughout the program. Field studies are in-depth experiences that not only take students off-campus, but immerse them in active, curriculum based learning. Students will collect data and test hypotheses just like real scientists. This includes analyzing data, and presenting results. Students will also learn outdoor skills, and get involved in community service projects.

Sample of Field Study Activities:

Water and Soil quality analysis
Biodiversity measurements
Transect and quadrat sampling techniques
Population studies
Vegetation surveys/Identification
Plankton sampling
Multi-year environmental assessment studies

Nicholas Megrath Scholarship Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Each year the Friends hosts a celebratory awards dinner for the graduating seniors of the Academy. The event is a special night for our seniors as well as a major fundraising opportunity for the program. The night includes a keynote speaker from the environmental science community, highlights of the program, a silent auction, and awarding of scholarships. The Friends, working with the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, annually award college scholarships to outstanding, graduating seniors. To date, more than $150,000 in scholarships have been awarded.

Nicholas Megrath Scholarship Award

Nicholas Megrath was an honor student at the The Gale Academy of Environmental Science and Technology before his untimely death in 1999. He would have graduated in June of that year. The Nicholas Megrath Scholarship Fund was established by the Friends and the Megrath family to help graduating seniors of the Academy further their education.

Leah G. Schad Scholarship Award

Leah Schad was a long time board member and civic leader. She was a passionate advocate for the environment. A scholarship was established in 2008 to honor her memory.

Our Mission

The Gale Academy of Environmental Science and Technology is dedicated to developing scientific inquiry, knowledge, and awareness, in order to prepare students for the challenges of an environmentally responsible world, while providing the academic, laboratory, and field skills needed to be successful in a variety of environmental careers.

The mission of The Friends of the Gale Academy of Environmental Science and Technology (Friends), an all-volunteer Board and independent nonprofit organization, is to support the Academy.